A leaked picture appears to have confirmed Sam Warburton IS the British and Irish Lions captain hours before the official announcement.

The image of Warburton posing with coach Warren Gatland and his backroom team in London emerged on social media.

It all but officially confirms the Welshman will lead the Lions for a second consecutive tour.

Although 28-year-old Warburton stepped down from the Wales captaincy ahead of this season’s Six Nations, with lock and fellow Lion Alun Wyn Jones taking over from him, he has been the bookmakers’ Lions favourite in recent weeks.